LSBU celebrates Children's University success stories

13 June 2013

Pupils and students from Lambeth Children's University donned robes and mortarboards for their very own graduation ceremony at London South Bank University on Wednesday 12 June.

The Children's University aims to reward young people for the time they spend in out-of-hours learning activities, and provides them with certificates and awards to mark their participation. The programme develops a culture of achievement and lifelong learning from an early age, increasing motivation and helping to support the transition between primary and secondary education.

The event saw over 60 students aged 7-14 from schools across Lambeth receive praise for their achievements, with a further 110 set to attend a similar ceremony next week. Over the past few months, they have been gathering credits for their learning hours- those who have successfully completed 30, 65 and 100 hours, were rewarded with Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates in the formal graduation ceremony respectively. They experienced all the academic traditions including wearing robes and mortarboards, as well as having photographs taken as a permanent reminder of their big day.

Joining the students at the event were children's author Hilary Robinson, Councillor Mark Bennett, Mayor of Lambeth, and a group of teachers from Tanzania. Ger Graus, founder and leader of the national Children's University spoke at the event, and the certificates were presented by Beverley Jullien, Pro Vice Chancellor of London South Bank University and Chancellor of Lambeth Children's University.Beverley Jullien says "I am honoured to show my support to the Children's University. The enthusiasm and hard work shown by the young people who have taken part is an inspiration to us all at London South Bank, and think that this programme shows that higher education is an attainable dream for people of all backgrounds. We hope to see many of the faces we've seen today studying with us in the years to come!"